Pilot/Flying J Prime Parking

Love's truck stop has been adding big truck stop. They are giving TA/Petro a run for their money. This is Sidney Ohio big new loves

 

I am grateful for the option to reserve a spot ahead of time. Gives me much more flexibility in my opinion. Also, I'm not one to park places other than truck stops and rest areas. I just don't feel safe parking on the side off an on-ramp.
Anyway, although I have not had it happens to me. I have read several reviews for different TA and Petro places that wouldn't locate the freeloader when the trucker got there and all the reserve spots were occupied. On Pilot/Flying J app, they give you I instructions on what to do and who to call if one of their truck stops doesn't honor a reserved spot.
I did have a situation where I showed up at a Pilot and the lot was packed. There had been an accident that shut down the highway and all the trucks had to find a place to park. So, I didn't get a reserved spot. But, the clerk showed me a little hiddey hole that would fit 2 trucks, although one would block the other. I coordinated with another trucker on which of us needed to leave first and we worked it out. Flexibility always helps and I was pleased that under the circumstances they didn't just abandon me, but helped me find a place to park.
Anyway, depending on where I am at and when I'll be parking for the night I really like the reserved parking thing. It isn't so much the spot, as it is the relief of not having to worry about finding a place to park. I know I'll have a spot if and when I get to it.

 

Actually, lately Love's has been building more of their locations across the US, and the newer locations have much bigger lots with lots of parking. You will almost always find a spot at Love's evenlate at night. Last night, I arrived at Love's around 11 PM, and even then I was able to find a spot to back in and call it a night. I remember going to Pilot/Flying J late at night and it would be next to impossible to find a safe stop to park. Love's is killing it these days, that's for sure.

 

JJs started charging $10/night.
Lady on golf cart would chase you down before you ever get stopped let alone set the brakes, this was 6 months ago, haven’t stopped there since.

 

yea forget that. I haven't been there in over a year and thats probably a good thing.

 

I went to one truck stop that had so many reserved spots they had a yellow, green, and red section. That’s ridiculous I refuse to pay to park.

9/10 times at customer when I ask to park they say yes or point me to a place that I can. There’s also dirt lots everywhere and rest areas. Not to mention small truck stops.

 

I reserve spots sometimes however there are times when plans change and I burn $15. It's worth $15 to me to know I can roll in and park. Every once in awhile I will park in reserved at like 3 pm just so I don't have to spend 30 minutes fighting every one else who is trying to park.

Usually I shut down between noon and 3 pm so I generally don't deal with it at all.

 

Stopped at that Love’s for the first time the other day. It’s by far the nicest one I’ve ever seen.

 

Only thing that break did was make my day longer and make me more tired. Took it at the fuel island half the time as the third truck in line as other guys were getting theirs in.